Eid-ul-Fitr is truly a wonderful time of blessings, joy, and feasting
After a month of fasting and refraining from food in the Islamic holy month of Ramadan, Eid-ul-Fitr is finally here! A most significant festival celebration for Muslims all over the world, Eid-ul-Fitr is a time of joy, celebration, and especially, feasting. And towards this feasting, special dishes and delicacies are prepared to share with friends, family, and neighbors. In this article, we will discuss some of the specialty foods associated with Eid-ul-Fitr.
And what better place to start a discussion on specialty foods than the traditional dishes that come straight hand in hand with Eid?
Sheer Khurma:
Got a massive sweet tooth? Sheer Khurma is just the thing for you! Sheer Khurma, or Seviyan, is a traditional sweet dish that is prepared on the morning of Eid-ul-Fitr in nearly all Muslim households, and can also perhaps be considered the signature sweet dish associated with Eid. It is a creamy and rich dessert made with vermicelli, milk, sugar, and nuts. This dish is usually served after the Morning Prayer on the first day of Eid.
Kheer:
If you are living in Pakistan there is no doubt that you must have tried kheer on occasions like weddings before. Well, as it so happens, kheer is one of the most cherished sweet dishes of the country and so to have an Eid without kheer would be an Eid incomplete! Kheer is a rice pudding made with milk, sugar, and fragrant spices. The dish can also be garnished with nuts such as almonds and pistachios for that crunchy texture. The creamy and delicious taste of Kheer is loved by everyone in Pakistan, making it a staple of Pakistani cuisine.
Mithai:
Who doesn’t love individual mouthfuls of bursting sweet flavor, all unique, that one can get only from mitthai such as gulab jamun, laddoo, barfi, and many more? These mitthai hold a special place in the heart of Pakistanis, and they are especially significant in that their association is not just restricted to Eid, but to every joyous occasion that occurs, no matter how small it may be!
But enough about the sweets though. If there is one thing that Pakistanis love more than sweets, it is undeniably… meat dishes. So, let’s talk about them.
Biryani:
Surprising probably not even one person at all, biryani easily takes the number one spot when it comes to foods people prefer to have on Eid. And it makes sense too, what with the delicacy that is its aromatic and flavorfully cooked rice, layered with meat and gravy, then steamed and mixed to form the perfect level of spice to keep you on your toes. Popularly served with raita to contrast the heat of the spice with a heavenly cool of its own, the biryani experience is truly one not to miss on Eid!
Nihari:
Again, a surprise to no one. It is the national dish of Pakistan after all. An extremely rich stew that is popular not only in Pakistan, but throughout the entire South Asian subcontinent, Nihari is traditionally made with slow-cooked meat, bone marrow, and a wide range of strong spices. It is one of the most common dishes whose aroma can be sniffed wafting out of kitchen windows, especially on Eid mornings.
Kababs:
Perhaps one of the most appealing meat dishes that also serve as savory snacks, kababs are already a popular dish being widely enjoyed in Pakistan throughout the year. During Eid celebrations though, it seems their presence is mandatory. Kababs are skewered meat or vegetables that are marinated in a variety of spices and then grilled or roasted. They are often served with chutney or yogurt dip, and are a dish most important to the essence of Eid!
Eid-ul-Fitr is truly a wonderful time of blessings, joy, and feasting. Shared with family, friends, and loved ones, Eid celebrations are indeed a thing to behold with the greatest of festivities. Though there are many, many foods that are prepared on Eid-ul-Fitr every year by each individual household, the above-listed foods are the most commonly enjoyed, and serve as a wonderful example of the culinary gems that the Muslim world has to offer.
